TUSCALOOSA -- SEC Commissioner Mike Slive was conspicuously absent from
the Iron Bowl. On Monday, Slive told the Monday Morning Quarterback Club
in Birmingham that he would be attending Friday's game in
Tuscaloosa.

SEC spokesman Charles Bloom said Slive leads a team of SEC officials who monitor games each week at the command center at the SEC office. The group -- Slive, Bloom and coordinator of officials Rogers Redding -- watch all of the games and handle any issues that may arise.

While speaking to the Monday Morning Quarterback Club this week, Slive
addressed the Cam Newton investigation before any audience members could
ask questions.

"We are in the midst of gathering established
facts and I can't emphasize that enough," Slive said. "We are in the
midst of gathering established facts, and when those facts are
established, decisions will be made and then we will move ahead from
that point on."

In the spring, SEC members gave Slive new authority to suspend coaches
or players over NCAA and SEC rules violations. Slive made the
unprecedented move last week of suspending Tennessee basketball coach
Bruce Pearl for eight conference games.

"I was clear that in imposing the penalty in the Pearl matter I was
sending a message," Slive said in an interview. "In the Pearl matter, I
thought we had the established facts and, based on the expectations of
our conference, that it was appropriate for the conference to act at
that point, notwithstanding the NCAA is still doing its investigative
case."

***

Tide players battered in lossSeveral Alabama players suffered injuries during
Friday's 28-27 loss to Auburn. Crimson Tide defensive back Mark Barron
said he tore his right pectoral muscle. He said the play occurred in the
second quarter when Auburn quarterback Cam Newton hit Emory Blake for a
36-yard touchdown pass.

That prevented him from make a hit on a Newton's 70-yard touchdown pass to Terrell Zachary in the third quarter.

"I couldn't pick my arm up," Barron said. "I couldn't make the tackle.
I'm going to get an MRI. I don't know exactly how bad it is so I can't
tell if I'll be out or not."

Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy
suffered a concussion in the fourth quarter on a hit by Auburn defensive
back T'Sharvan Bell. Alabama coach Nick Saban said McElroy is expected
to recover for the bowl game.

Alabama receiver Julio Jones suffered a knee injury, which limited his
play in the second half. And receiver Darius Hanks suffered bruised
ribs.

***

Speaking of Julio JonesJones had his longest touchdown catch of the season, a 68-yarder from McElroy for a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.

Even more significant, Jones set single-season records for catches and
yards. He now has 72 catches for the season breaking DJ Hall's previous
record of 67 set in 2007. Jones also has 1,059 yards for the season
breaking Hall's record of 1,056 set in 2006.

Jones also had his 10th 100-yard game of his career finishing with 10 catches for 199 yards and a touchdown.

***

75th Iron Bowl, the biggest to dateAuburn
holds a 5-1 advantage in Iron Bowl games played at Bryant-Denny
Stadium, and a 7-1 advantage in Tuscaloosa after Friday's 28-27
come-from-behind victory.

One unique feature of Friday's game was the 101,821 fans -- the most ever to attend an Iron Bowl.

Alabama still leads the overall series 40-34-1.

***

Richardson returnsAlabama
running back Trent Richardson returned to action for the first time
since suffering a left knee injury in a 24-21 loss at LSU on Nov. 6.

Richardson sat out during wins against Mississippi State and Georgia
State before his return Friday afternoon. He finished with 10 carries
for 24 yards, and three receptions for 9 yards.

Richardson said his knee feels good.

"He had pep in his step and he was explosive," Saban said. "He didn't
get a lot of opportunities, but I thought he did a good job."

***

Jones suits up, does not playAlabama
sophomore right guard Barrett Jones dressed for Saturday's game after
he missed last week's 63-7 win against Georgia State with an ankle
injury.

Jones, who spent the past week wearing a protective walking boot, participated in warmups with the third team.

Jones
was replaced by Anthony Steen for the second straight game. Tide junior
Alfred McCullough also took some snaps at right guard.

***

Seniors honoredPrior to kickoff, 17 Alabama seniors were honored before their final game at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The
group has compiled a 42-9 overall record during their time with the
Crimson Tide including a 20-game home winning streak that ended
Friday.

***

Junior jumps?Friday also have marked the last home games for
juniors Julio Jones, Mark Ingram, Marcell Dareus, Mark Barron and Dont'a
Hightower. Those five are all considered potential NFL draft picks --
if there is a draft.

The NFL labor dispute between the players' union and the league is far
from settled, and concerns about a lockout could affect players'
decisions to leave school early or return for one more season.

Ingram said this week he will sit with Alabama coach Nick Saban after the season before he considers a move.

***

Making it rainAlabama showered fake $1 bills with Cam Newton's
image in the south end zone of Bryant-Denny Stadium when the Auburn
quarterback approached the stands. Newton has come under scrutiny after
his father, Cecil Newton, allegedly shopped his son to at least one
school in exchange for as much as $200,000.

In tailgate areas surrounding the stadium, fans wore T-shirts that read
"$cam Newton" while others placed signs across University Boulevard. One
read "Heisman is for CLASS NOT CAM."

Another read "ALL MY SIGN
IDEAS WERE ON MY $LAPTOP," a reference to Newton's role in purchasing a stolen laptop when he was a University of Florida student.

Other signs read "Cash Bribe Scandal, Agent University and Family Being Investigated."